I want to thank you very much, and welcome you all to this year's
Christmas Pageant of Peace. During this time of conflict and
challenge, we once again celebrate the season of hope and the season of
joy. We give thanks to our nation and to our families, and
to our friends.

The First Lady and I are so honored to be here. I want
to thank Peter Nostrand and the committee for putting this together,
and I particularly want to thank the entertainment committee -- the
person in charge of getting these fantastic entertainers to come
tonight. Thank you from the bottom of our
hearts. (Applause.)

I want to thank all the employees and sponsors who put on this
magnificent event. I want to thank Fran Minella, the
Director of the National Park Service, and all the Park Service
employees who have worked hard to put this event
on. (Applause.)

I want to thank Santa Clause for being here
tonight. (Laughter and applause.) I've been
looking for you, Santa. (Laughter.)

In a moment, we will light the National Christmas Tree, a tradition
Americans have been celebrating since 1923. The history of
this event has included some memorable moments, including 60 years ago,
less than three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Prime
Minister Winston Churchill made an appearance with President Franklin
Roosevelt to light the tree.

Now, once again, we celebrate Christmas in a time of testing, with
American troops far from home. This season finds our country
with losses to mourn and great tasks to complete. In all
those tasks, it is worth recalling the words from a
beautiful Christmas hymn -- in the third verse of "Oh Holy
Night" we sing, "His law is love, and His gospel is peace. Change ye
shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name
all oppression shall cease."

America seeks peace, and believes in justice. We fight
only when necessary. We fight so that oppression may
cease. And even in the midst of war, we pray for peace on
Earth and goodwill to men. (Applause.)

This is a time of the year for families and friends to gather
together. Not simply to celebrate the season, but to renew
the bonds of love and affection that give fulfillment to our
lives. And this is a year we will not forget those who lost
loved ones in the attacks on September the 11th and on the
battlefield. They will remain in our prayers.

It is now my honor to invite Leon Patterson and Faith Elseth and
Laura to join me up here as we light the National Christmas
Tree. (Applause.)

Leon and Faith's fathers, Major Clifford Patterson, and Lt.
Commander Robert Elseth served in the United States
military. Both of these good men were lost in the attack on
the Pentagon.

Leon and Faith, we thank you for helping us celebrate
Christmas. You remind us of the comfort of Christmas that
hope never fails, and love never ends.